from the for-those-seeking-something-different dept.
The new FreeDOS 1.3 which is a MS-DOS compatible free software operating system is now available for download.
"This contains a bunch of great new features and improvements since the 1.2 release, including: new FreeCOM 0.85a, new Kernel 2043 and an 8086 version with FAT32 support, floppy Edition now uses compression and requires about half as many diskettes, the return of networking, some new programs and games, many many many package updates, some updates and improvements to NLS, improved install process, especially with the MBR, some support to automatically set the COUNTRY.SYS information, improved CD initialization for the boot media and installed system, .. and much, much more"
It also including a Live mode on the CD.
Get it from the official FreeDOS site.
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Two big things happened in the world of text-based disk operating systems in June 1994.
The first is that Microsoft released MS-DOS version 6.22, the last version of its long-running operating system that would be sold to consumers as a standalone product. MS-DOS would continue to evolve for a few years after this, but only as an increasingly invisible loading mechanism for Windows.
The second was that a developer named Jim Hall wrote a post announcing something called "PD-DOS."
PD-DOS would soon be renamed FreeDOS, and 30 years and many contributions later, it stands as the last MS-DOS-compatible operating system still under active development.
[...] To mark FreeDOS' 20th anniversary in 2014, we talked with Hall and other FreeDOS maintainers about its continued relevance, the legacy of DOS, and the developers' since-abandoned plans to add ambitious modern features like multitasking and built-in networking support (we also tried, earnestly but with mixed success, to do a modern day's work using only FreeDOS).
[...] For the 30th anniversary, we've checked in with Hall again about how the last decade or so has treated the FreeDOS project, why it's still important, and how it continues to draw new users into the fold. We also talked, strange as it might seem, about what the future might hold for this inherently backward-looking operating system.
[...] "Compared to about 10 years ago, I'd say the interest level in FreeDOS is about the same," Hall told Ars in an email interview. "Our developer community has remained about the same over that time, I think. And judging by the emails that people send me to ask questions, or the new folks I see asking questions on our freedos-user or freedos-devel email lists, or the people talking about FreeDOS on the Facebook group and other forums, I'd say there are still about the same number of people who are participating in the FreeDOS community in some way."
[...] Though it's still being downloaded and used, shifts in PC hardware are making it more difficult to install and run FreeDOS directly on a new PC.
[...] One issue is the UEFI firmware used to boot modern PCs. UEFI began replacing the traditional PC BIOS at the tail end of the 2000s, and today, it's the default mechanism used for booting Windows, macOS, and Linux, though Windows and Linux both technically can still boot on non-UEFI systems.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 27 2022, @12:20PM (8 children)
The Good
It can run Doom and some GUIs.
The Bad
FreeDOS cannot be used as a replacement because the undocumented interfaces between MS-DOS 7.0–8.0 and Windows "4.xx" are not emulated by FreeDOS
The Ugly
Programs and drivers to connect you to a network.
These may no longer be up to date. (as stated at the Freedos.org site)
(Score: 5, Interesting) by janrinok on Sunday February 27 2022, @01:07PM (1 child)
On the other hand, some people aren't put off by the challenges at all. Getting obsolete items back to an operational state can be a rewarding activity in itself.
I don't think the FreeDOS people expect you to throw away your current systems and return to DOS only.
I've still got a working Z80-based CP/M system with less than 1K of available RAM for user programs. It is still able to provide me with a mental challenge on the occasional afternoon.
[nostyle RIP 06 May 2025]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 27 2022, @11:23PM
Your comment makes me jealous. Wish I had my Z80 again. Not the emulator either.
FreeDos and Z80 sound cool together too.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Mojibake Tengu on Sunday February 27 2022, @02:07PM (5 children)
Not having network is a boon.
One day such contraption may remain last one usable working device in a house, when some really ugly worm strikes the internets.
Today's script kiddies can't write a simple DOS virus either so it's probably safest platform already, paradoxically.
Rust programming language offends both my Intelligence and my Spirit.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 27 2022, @02:16PM (3 children)
I'm kind of curious how many people need networking for dos, few applications sorted it and most that did were using modems and network great that hasn't been used in decades. Token ring, anyone?
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 27 2022, @04:02PM (2 children)
On FreeDOS, you can use networking (TCP/IP) to update the packages with FDNPKG, in a similar way to a GNU/Linux distro. That alone makes it worthwhile IMHO. And on VirtualBox, everything is detected and configured (via DHCP) automatically.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 27 2022, @11:19PM (1 child)
Then presumably you can play network doom?
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Monday February 28 2022, @05:38PM
Maybe possible, I'd have to look, but sounds doable.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 0, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 28 2022, @02:18AM
> Not having network is a boon.
I'm not sure why you've been modded as a Troll, your post makes perfect and good sense.
It's like TempleOS, no networking!
TPTB want EVERYTHING connected.
(Score: -1, Spam) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 27 2022, @07:53PM
FreeDox? Who needs archaic Micro$oft? We need to #Freearistarchus!!!! For great justice.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 01 2022, @05:40AM
> Not having network is a boon.
I'm not sure why you've been modded as a Troll, your post makes perfect and good sense.
It's like TempleOS, no networking!
TPTB want EVERYTHING connected.
** AND THIS IS NOT A TROLL POST SO DON'T MOD IT DOWN YOU FOOLS **